Loving Tony and Jackey K-Salon through the Years

A much awaited weekday off from work equals K-salon day for me.  Last Thursday finally I’m able to avail of the Ensogo Tony and Jackey Rebonding package I bought early this year.  And here’s the result, a very new me with bangs! Yey

Bangs is happiness

And just when you thought that the good vibes ended here wait there’s more. As a loyalist of this korean salon since 2009 I decided to join their Share Your Story Part 2 contest.  All I have to do is write and blog about my salon experience. What for that I’m a blogger if I will let this chance to win great prizes?

And so here it is.  I drafted this blog at home and inside my happy place Starbucks Matalino but I posted it right there at the salon while they are busy prepping my new look.  :)  That’s two happiness in an instant!  I really hope to win that Samsung Note 2 phone but if I won’t be that lucky the salon GCs is not bad after all.  Wahh! Read on guys, I’m excited on April 30 for the announcement of winners. Wish me luck guys!

♥ ♥ ♥

It was April of 2009 when I first entered the doors of the then new to my ears Korean salon Tony and Jackey. And this was before it was called Bang’s T & J.  My sister and I are Korean drama lovers and dreaming of going to Korea so when she heard of this salon we are so excited to try and experience what it’s like to be in a Seoul-setting beauty place. We went to the Makati branch and she tried the L’Oreal rebonding package while I tried the hair manicure treatment only since I’m afraid of having my hair rebonded.  But when I saw the results on my sister’s hair I know that I’ll be back for more. Plus I wanted to see that Korean star looking stylist who attended on my sister, hahaha.  And so I got my hair rebonded first at Toney and Jackey on October of 2009. The experience was so great that you forget the 5-hour+ hair treatment as you are surrounded with Koreans and k-pop music.

Since then I never go to any Salon even for minor hair treatments or haircut.  I just love the ambiance and all and the new me every time I’ll sit in front of their mirror.  Here’s my sister and I together with my favorite stylist Tei Park of Makati branch.  Too bad he flew back to Korea last 2011. I miss him and his perfect touch on my hair.

with my ever fav stylist Mr. Tei Park

What I super love that I tried with Tony and Jackey the following year (April 2010) is their digiperm.  I’m excited and at the same time afraid of what it would look like on me.  I remember how Mr. Park and his assistants bet if the curls will show up on me…and it did! It was so lovely that my officemates can’t stop going back and forth at my workdesk to see if it’s really me.  I heart it so much and laugh my heart out as they tease me “Koreanang-koreana” (so very Korean-looking).  And even if I’m outdoors on the beach the curls are perfect, so worth it of the price I paid. Yes I spared 8K+ for it!

first timer on a digiperm setting machine: April 2010

summer curls

beach perfect look

All my friends are really saying that curls suit me more than sleek straight hair so I repeated the same style in 2012.  I’m glad that they are offering the package on promo rates in Ensogo so I get it at around 5k only. Yey, and did I tell you that curls gives that instant fab look when paired with little black dress.  So fit for watching a classic play like this.

curls = instant fab look at The Phantom of the Opera night

I guess I’m really a Tony and Jackey avid and loyal customer already.  With the growing Korean fashion here in the Philippines I can’t help it as it just doesn’t give me the perfect style and care for my hair…it’s also an instant stress reliever.  The last time I’m here is the most memorable and I think the most K-popish thing I did for my hair.  I have it colored!  Thanks to their 2013 Color-holic Festival that I get it at 2K only with hair treatment already.  Here’s my excited look during the procedure last Feb 4, 2013.

excited for my first ever hair color

What made me decide to try this is my current hobby of attending k-pop events and concerts.  And my friends would know what and who exactly made me want this thing, ahahha!  I’m having second thoughts making it blonde, red or light brown but I guess I trust this salon so much that I let them touch my color-virgin hair, and tadahh!  The color is Dark Brown Blonde by Wella.  Here’s the finish product, with my stylist Angela of SM North The Block branch.

with Ms. Angela of SM North The Block

I know that the color is not that bold compared to my stylist but it did gave me a new look perfect for K-pop events. Photos below are taken from Kpop Cosplay Con3 last March.  I looked so Korean already!

at K-pop Cosplay Con 3 event

Coming from a very sad weekend coming to this salon and having a new look makes me feel relieved and happy.  It’s really a girl’s best friend.  And contrary to the notion that the color fades as after sometime, the color does shows up and becomes lighter and visible as days pass by.  I heart it!

more vibrant hair color as days passed by

An extra funny experience on that day is that I discovered that my stylist is a fangirl too.  I am browsing on Facebook on my mobile phone when she screamed upon seeing phone charm with Jang Keun Seuk’s charming face hahaha.  And then we spazzed and talk about him all throughout.  So here’s one for you Ms. Angela.  With my curls and light brown hair color I can be in tandem with him as a Nature Republic image model, LOL!

@ Nature Republic with JKS poster

May it be a sleek rebond, or a plain haircut and hair manicure, or a fab digiperm curls and colors I trust it only to Bang’s T & J salon through the years.  It’s more than k-pop.  It’s a genuine hair care that’s stylish.  So what’s next to try.  Hmm maybe a red color or light light blonde for my locks.  And just right now I’m inside Tony and Jackey salon again.  Saranghe and Kamsahamnida!  :)

♥ ♥ ♥

Originally Published at Bang’s Tony and Jackey website link

 

Suddenly on a Tuesday

today something came up that really made my mind boggling and heart sad

a favorite goodvibes go somewhere for a while

I don’t know why

but i can’t help to think so negatively

its a thing that made me jump for joy last new year’s eve

only to be taken away on a holy tuesday night

Oh well…

but after talking to some good friends, I realized I’m so over analyzing

It might just be his way of fasting, he will come back again

“give him space, baka nasakal lang sa relationship” – this one was over analyzing too hahaha

Oh well…it might just be a right love on a wrong time

It was like love at first sight, a love online..

or more appropriately an inspiration beyond the so called four-letter word

we are just on our episode 3 of a korean drama or k-pop fiction I wish to come true…

wait lang ♥ ♥ ♥ :)

Excited Much for K-pop Cosplay Con 3

I’ve never been too excited to attend a local k-pop event like this.  It’s just hours before the 3^rd K-pop Cosplay Con event and I’m in mixed emotions – thrilled, anxious, smiling like a fool among others.  After the epic K-pop Nation 3 experience (I need a separate blog for this I’m telling you hahaha), watching two k-pop concerts in a row: the once in a blue moon Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert last January and the just fresh and “hottest” concert What Time is it – 2PM Live in Manila last week, I can say that I have really crossed the bridge from being a plain k-drama addict to a k-pop fanatic.  Actually the excitement started as early as the date the event is announced officially.

K-pop Cosplay Con 3 event poster (c) KPOP and Culture Fest FB page

Oh I know the word “cosplay” is so teenager-ish (if not so childish) to many and really alien to me before but it’s so ironic that I’m getting ecstatic attending a Cosplay event, hahahah.  “I love k-pop music and in fact more than half of our playlist at home and in my mobile phone are k-pop and k-drama soundtracks, but to watch k-pop dance cover performances and cosplayers on stage is not so much my thing” – these words of mine were so yesterday now.  One event, one guy made me look on k-pop and cosplay in a whole new light.  It all happened during last year’s K-pop Nation 3.  You would know how and why in the latter part of this post, save the best for last, LOL!

Oh well people change and for this coming Sunday I have 3 top things to be happy about the K-pop Cosplay Con 3.  Three things close to my heart would be there so it’s not surprising that up to now I still don’t know what to wear.  Don’t be mistaken, I’m not cosplaying, I’m not yet on that level, LOL!  Well at least the choices are down to just two. On a deeper note I will wear 3 different shoes on March 10, not literally though.  I’ll be a blogger, fangirl and a teenager wannabee once more.  So what’s in this line up of activities am I so interested?

K-pop Cosplay Con 3 event activities line-up (c) KPOP and Culture Fest FB page

First: Caffe Bene – the Seoul-based and No. 1 coffee chain in Korea (and now brewing in Eastwood and SMX Convention Center) is one of the presentors of the event.  Wahhh!  To those who don’t know yet, Caffe Bene Philippines is very very close to my heart for it launched my blogging career to a wider audience.  I’m really thankful for their appreciation and recognition given to me as the first local blogger to write about them prior to their grand opening last Nov in Eastwood.  I must say that I love them not just because of it being a Korean brand, Jang Keun Suk endorsing the brand or it being my blog baby but also for it offering a different experience of coffee and more.  Taste the Bene Difference for yourself and visit their flagship and first store in Eastwood.  See my full blog on them on this link. On this first reason,  I’m playing a blogger role.

Caffe Bene flagship store in Eastwood CityWalk 2

enjoying a cold cup of Misaguru latte @ Caffe Bene Eastwood

Second is all about Jang Keun Suk as we, Eels Philippines JKS fan club celebrates his “I Just Wanna Have Fun” album launch with Team H.  We are having a booth supporting the album landing here in the Philippines.  We will be giving away JKS items and exciting freebies to those who will buy the album on the event proper at the Odyssey booth.   With my budget already allocated to travels within the year I really don’t know if I could resist not to purchase the album, hahaha.  He is not the first k-drama actor I’ve fallen for but I guess he is the one I have poured most of my time since the second half of last year and most of my blogsite’s hits are courtesy of Jang Keun Suk search term including Caffe Bene.  And mind you for this booth of our fan club I did some sponsorship errands on of top of my busy corporate schedule in the past week, hahaha.  So I guess everybody knows I’m a certified fangirl mode for him and can’t really wait that this might be the key for him to come here in Manila.  So JKS fans out there come and join the FUN and go buy the album at Kpop Cosplay Con3 event and support the Eels Philippines booth.

Eels Philippines “I Just Wanna Have Fun” Day poster (c) Eels Ph FB page

Jang Geun Suk Odyssey booth poster for K-pop Cosplay Con 3 (c) Odysseylive.Net FB page

And here we go for the third reason.  This is the last but definitely not the least on my list.  The k-pop cover group or should I say the k-pop cosplayer hunkie who made me look at k-pop on a higher level would be performing, O-em-gee!!! Spell  K-U-K-I-S-S guys.   Yes Ku-Kiss, who covers the popular Korean boy band U-Kiss is one dear k-pop addiction confession I have since the latter part of December 2012.

Ku-Kiss at Knation 3 (c) Ku-Kiss FB page

Ku-Kiss group photo at Enchanted Kfest (c) Lance Josue FB

the UKISS cuties Ku-KIss are covering (c) as tagged

UKISS album photo (c) to owner

Ku-Kiss group ala-UKISS cover photo (c) Ku-Kiss FB page

I don’t know what drawn me to this group when there are lots of them around at k-pop events and granted that cosplay groups is not a thing of interest. Maybe the k-pop virus is just really strong and so I’m influenced by my fangirl friends who always mention “Ku-kiss” everytime there’s an event.  Oh well I remember first seeing them at Kfest event last July 2012 at SM Megatrade Hall.  They are posing as Korean baristas at “Kfest Café”.  Being a coffee shop and Korean addict of course I didn’t let the day pass without having a picture with them.  And I really thought they are real Koreans hahaha, talk about cosplay idiot that time, LOL!

with ‘Eli” of Ku-Kiss as a barista at Kfest Cafe

It was until Kpop Nation 3 that I became so engrossed on top of my heart with this group.  Take note I have never seen them perform yet but one cosplayer from the group made me head turn as if a high-schooler. He did stood out from the rest. This is the first time that I became a cosplayer fan first before knowing the group or k-pop artist he is covering.  I would never forget Dec 27, 2012 at KNation3 after having a picture beside “Kiseop” of Ku-Kiss.  And right, quoting a friend’s comment after I post this on my Facebook account “Sino itech? lakas maka-kpop” (who is this, so very kpop). I can never count the likes and comments (even after weeks of posting it on FB) on that picture perfect moment that I uploaded right after I got home. I’ts literally “kilig much” night that even while sleeping I can still see how I transformed to a “teenager” me at that moment.  He is one of the reason why I decided to add some color to my hair for the first time, hahaha though I can’t have it red.

epic pic with “Kiseop” of Ku-Kiss ♥

My smile says it all (and even his – fangirl daydreaming here hahaha).  But really there is more than his kpop hunkie looks that made me like this.  He is one dear nice guy deep inside, my friends would know I’m really drawn to good boysish guys.  It seems like he’s a real k-pop star kung maka-fangirl right?  Oh, pwede na bang maging Facebook page admin? LOL!  Sorry guys as I’m speaking my native language here, mas damang-dama lang.

There is a lot to tell about Mr. Red Hair but I guess let’s keep it with my close friends.  But I just can’t deny that I had an overflowing happiness and looked like a crazy fool when we became friends in Facebook.  It just happened in a way I’m so not expecting and I still remember that particular day up to now.  It’s like a daydream coming true situation, so very teenager-ish.  Full story not to be revealed here but I think I’m his no. 1 fan by this time, hahaha!  And before I get anxious again thinking if he will recognize me and how will I hide my blushing face when I finally see him again let’s just end here, LOL!  I guess I will just prepare my voice and some dancing talent I learned from Zumba classes for their Dora dora and Stop Girl performance tomorrow. Finally I will see a live performance like this.   By the way I forgot to tell that these Ku-kiss guys really dance so well (even if I’ve just seen them perform on youtube for now) that you’ll be really glued watching them.  They are more that just cosplayers in that sense.  The picture below says it all.

Ku-Kiss Neverland performance (c) Ku-Kiss FB page

I’ll be ending this childish blog for now. I need to sleep early and prepare my k-pop inspired outfit and boots and hair for tomorrow.  I know there will be lots in store other than these things.  Chal chayo fangirl chingus and see you tomorrow at SMX Convention Center.

On Kakai and Mario Maurer

It really feels weird that I’m writing and reposting articles on a latest showbiz talk of the town topic.  Wahahaha, its the first time in my blogging history.

Oh well, its really the trending topic so I can’t help.  No need for more intro but what really is the score on Kakai Bautista and Mario Maurer after the recent break-up of the latter on his Thai girlfriend for 9years?

According to a lot of articles.  They are really just good friends.  Both parties are saying that.  So let’s just believe them and be Happy for their rare found friendship.  All I can say is Kakai is really so lucky finding Mario, which is a “Very good boy” and she playing like a “big sister to him.  I found this article “Kakai on Maurer: I’m like a big sister to him” as the best of all those written on the topic.  Quoting her (Kakai) “Huwag kayong magalit sa akin. Kasi hindi ko rin naman kasalanan kung bakit kami naging magkaibigan. Siguro nag-click lang talaga kami kasi mabait siya.”

Kakai Bautista and Mario Maurer (photo from Bautista’s instagram)

Alright after the side of Kakai, here is the ‘He Said part”.  I think more than his good looks Mario is really one very good boy.  In  the article below one can very well say that he is a gentleman..not bad mouthing an ex gf and still ending up as good friends…Oh well but Kakai and him are also “good friends” right now. Enjoy reading this pound per pound interview on Mario with his recent break-up with Gubgib Sumontip.  Apparently they just wanted to focus on each own work and career, which I think is just normal for two people who practically grew up as lovers.

Is Cacai Bautista The New Girl of Mario Maurer After His Break-up to Gubgib Sumontip?!

I know there will be more write-ups in the coming days on these 2.  I’m not a showbiz columnist nor an expert on this.  All I can say to end this blog is that “ang haba ng hair mo girl!”  Whatever it is between them let’s be happy and don’t be a basher.  We all have our own destiny and this might be theirs – kinda like “Suddenly it’s Magic”.  Good vibes guys!

A Post-Valentine Note

It’s already March but let me just post a  thing inspired by the crazy love month.

As with so many hopefuls and idealistic youngsters I’m always charmed and thrilled by that four-letter word.  But as much as I wanted to always be in a kdrama setting (and yes I believe I’ve been so many times) I’ve met a lot of false alarms in this journey of love.

Hahaha, oh well what a segway! This one is somewhat bitter, but I guess I still find something inspiring with the hidden story behind it…

One day in February, I had a…

One random Goodbye

I wake up like hell on this sunday that I dreaded
since it is the last day of a happy habit
An uninvited goodbye, he sat beside me today
a sundate like no other though its a finale

A serious talk over coffee made me fall all over again
this time without malice, beyond admiration
Thinking about it, we left without the usual goodbye
Because I know he will and still be a dear inspiration near or far.

I’m leaving an apt quote to end this on a sweeter note. Borrowing from a friend’s Facebook post (and I really have to say thank you to him) — “We feel happiness not when we achieve love but when we know there is a possibility of love. :3″

Cheesy but inspiring right? Love love love! ♥♥♥ :)

A New Year’s Eve Surprise

Last night at around this same time I have received an unexpected thing that really made me feel “ang haba-haba ng hair ko, abot hanggang Seoul South Korea” hahaha.

After posting my 2012 reflections that surprise came into me. Literally I don’t know what to do, nor what to say…Yes its a thing close to my heart that may seem childish for others but for me its a big thing.  Just imagine a teenager girl with her cush inviting her to be his date in the prom, hahaha.  Don’t think too much friends I wont reveal it here.  It’s just that I still have a hangover last night.

On a more deeper note that “kilig moment” is really one big inspiration.  It happened barely three hours to go before 2012 bids goodbye for 2013.  Just when I thought the big things and smiles of 2012 are done there goes that thing.  Somehow I really wished for a thing close to it but I never imagined something better than what I wished for will happen.  And now I believe this would carry on throughout 2013.

If its really for you it will really be given. This new year’s eve surprise might be a simple thing but a lot of big things started from small.  In this 2013 Year of Faith or Year of the Water Snake I know keeping a positive heart and mindset is our best lucky charm, not any color, stone or those astrological help .  I’m still fleeting in the air from last night.  Thank you Lord for all those inspirations I really needed, big thing or small.

Have a Positive 2013 everyone!

My 2012 Blogging in Review

Starting 2013 right.  I super love this summary that wordpress created for this blogsite of mine.  I thank you all my readers, you all inspire me to write. I hope I have inspired and brought you smiles too as you read my heartfelt posts.  I feel so blessed.  More to come this year.

From the bottom of my heart hugs and overflowing thanks…Kangsahamnida and Have a blessed and fun 2013!  Loving to share this info

♥ ♥ ♥

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 3,300 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 6 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.